The Midwest Coast

We soon discovered what thousands of people know: the eastern shores of Lake Michigan are much fairer than the western shores here in Illinois. Wide flat beaches, quaint lakeside towns, and acres of fruit orchards and vineyards spread across southwest Michigan like a patchwork quilt, and quite frankly, more accessible beaches. Our first summer in Illinois, we made the short drive to Michigan to enjoy what regulars call an “unsalted” vacation. And we visited this charming town set at the intersection of the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan: Saugatuck.